Not a Mercedes but still a rather interesting diesel. Don't be fooled by the 1997 header this thing is without a doubt a 1992 two door European model. I know that the Discovery was originally only offered in a two door model and that only the 4 door V8 models made it stateside so it's very interesting to say the least. It sure caught be by surprise seeing as how it's under the 25 year import limitation and right in my own backyard.....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-Land-Rover-Discovery-diesel-5speed-defender-TDI-/300567804785?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item45fb3cbb71

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

What's that circular thing besides the driveshaft behind the front differential?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Good catch....I haven't the foggiest idea

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

This is a true parts car. Brought into the US as a few parts & put together. The motor registry would have a fit if some one tried to register it.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Yes something must be up. A few years ago I looked into bringing over an older Discovery and as far as I could tell it couldn't be done.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Depends on the state, some are more relaxed than others. Could also have had a VIN swap with a Defender of appropriate vintage. Fortunately, most cops and inspection people are too bone-dumb to know the difference.

Might work fine in a rural state that doesn't do smog inspection.

Probably.

VIN swaps are dicey business and I don't think it would fly in CT.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I like the idea of the diesel ( I had an 89 RRvr and loved it)
If i owned a large property and needed something larger than Mule for Farmwork this might be nice

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

As the owner of three Land Rovers, I would run-not walk from this truck. They are terminally addicted to the repair shop when they are in good running shape. And this one has innumerable deficiencies. With all the red flags here I would be surprised if he got over $1000-1500 for it.

It does look like the undersides are a bit rusty but all the interior and trim pieces (Save for the front seats) are non-original and look to be swapped out from the 1997.

My main concern would be the condition of the engine and drive-train.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

It's essentially a harmonic balancer for the axle. It's another way Land Rover made their rigs smoother and a more comfortable riding SUV. I would love to add this to my other Rovers. What a great rig... except for the rust. With all of the aluminum panels Rovers have it looks better than I am sure it is. I a close look would make me cringe

How does it work?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You would have a hard time getting the back wheels on the ground....or the front axle to not break.....The 6BT Cummins is a great, but very heavy engine.

A 4BT with the wick turned up might be more practical. But most states prohibit engines older than the chassis being installed. Most specify same year or NEWER.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Too many, especially with the D2 which is more computerized.

I owned a Disco until recently and hung out on the various Disco boards. Lots of folks talked about doing the conversion, but I never read of anyone actually doing it. The easiest approach would be to source a LR diesel and manual transmission from a salvage yard in the UK. You'll also need a few other items (fuel tank, lines, clutch cylinder/pedal, and ECU). The figure I got was about $10k from a reputable shop in the UK that would recondition everything and ship it over. After all that, you'll have to move to an emission free state to keep it on the road...

To go the Cummings route, you'd be replacing everything...engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, etc. There might be some adapters out there, but you'll probably be a guinea pig. And after all that work, you really don't have a Disco any longer and will, most likely, lose the offroad capability that you got the Disco for to begin with.

If you really want a diesel Land Rover, the least problematic route would be to import an 80s vintage Defender from Oz. The going rate here in the States for them is absurd. Figure $3-4k for the Defender (or less), another $5k to spruce it up, and another $1500 to ship to CA. You can convert it to LHD for another few grand if you'd like. Personally, I'd keep it RHD for the novelty. Of course, my numbers are old..from when the US dollar was better than parity with $AU. It's not cheap, but cheaper than dealing with scalpers here.

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1974 240D "Boldie" 170K.- New timing chain/freshly rebuilt IP/replaced valve seals/injectors/upgraded stereo/new Bilsteins with Yokohamas/fresh paint and rocker panels plus lots of welds.